VistaJet eyes Indian aviation market for expansion

MUMBAI: After it placed the biggest order in business aviation history of 142 aircrafts (56 firm orders and 86 optional worth over $7 billion) with Bombardier, its exclusive operator for high-end business jets, Swiss operator VistaJet has now set its eyes on expansion in the Indian market as part of its wider strategy to make business jets easily available for use of clients in the emerging markets.

One of the fastest growing business jet operators in the world, VistaJet said that with its unique business model that makes aircraft available within 24 hours for its clients, it is betting big on the important shift in world trade that is moving now from western-centric economies to eastern-centric economies and this is the reason why India is an important market for VistaJet.

"We see continuous growth at the top end and this growth in India will see need for long-range flying required for Indian corporates as they are competing at the world stage," Thomas Flohr, founder chairman and managing director, VistaJet told ET.

Flohr said that VistaJet assess a demand of about 400 to 500 clients that would do 100-500 hours of flying per year that it targets in India. "Within the first year of operation, nothing can stop us from signing at least 20-30 of these clients," he said.